Arsene Wenger goes public about his pursuit of West Ham defender Winston Reid

West Ham defender Winston Reid (right) is a January target for Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has gone public about his pursuit of West Ham United defender Winston Reid.

The Arsenal boss usually says very little when probed on potential targets, but during a press conference on Friday, the Frenchman revealed arguably the worst-kept secret during this January transfer window.

When asked specifically if he is in the hunt for New Zealand international Reid, Wenger said: ‘Of course we are out in the market and are working hard every day.

‘All of our scouts and all of our people are working very hard to find a defender.’

Both Arsenal and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the centre-half, who has just six months of his contract left at Upton Park.

The Gunners are understood to be lining up a bid in the region of £5million as they look to tempt the Hammers to sell the player before the close of the window.

However, it is believed that West Ham will only listen to offers closer to £8million for the 26-year-old, who arrived in east London from Danish club FC Midtylland in 2010.

Spurs, meanwhile, are said to be happy for the player to see out the remainder of his contract and then tempt him with a move to White Hart Lane during the summer.